education

Professions and Opportunities Awaiting Retired Soldiers in Civilian Life

Transitioning to civilian working life will require a reasonable preparation period. It is not easy for those retired from the armed forces, not only in our country but all over the world, to transition to civilian working life.

Some of the military personnel who transition from civilian life to military life and serve in the armed forces for years may want to continue their business lives when they retire.

Some of them will start their own business (for details, see Ref.-1), while others will want to continue their professional careers in civilian life (for details, see Ref.-2).

Of course, the transition to civilian working life will require a reasonable preparation period. It is not easy for retirees from the armed forces to transition to civilian working life, not only in our country but all over the world (see Ref.-3 for details). Transitioning to civilian working life requires a certain adaptation process and preparation. I shared my views on this subject in my article titled "How should retired Turkish Armed Forces personnel prepare for civilian working life (Ref.-4)?"

In this article; I wanted to share my opinions and evaluations about the professions and opportunities that await retired soldiers in civilian life.

1. Commercial Pilot

Becoming a commercial pilot allows retired pilots from the Turkish Armed Forces to continue their flying profession and their love of adventure and travel. The financial return is also extremely satisfactory. Pilots with military flying experience can make excellent commercial pilots due to their strong foundation in aviation skills, safety awareness, teamwork, and ability to make decisions under pressure. These qualities make military pilots well-prepared and highly skilled as they transition into commercial pilot careers where safety and professionalism are paramount. In every country of the world, the transition from military pilot to commercial pilot is preferred and extremely accepted.

Military pilots experience a very healthy adaptation process within their own social environment long before they sever their ties with the Turkish Armed Forces. In other words, a military pilot who retires from the Turkish Armed Forces and immediately decides to transition to commercial piloting; Where to apply, how to follow the certification process, even which companies you join, how much salary and opportunities they will provide, etc. knows. This adaptation process is very beneficial in the transition to his commercial pilot career.

In addition, Turkish Armed Forces (Air, Land, Sea, Gendarmerie, Coast Guard, separated from the Turkish Armed Forces) and even the Police Force; They officially document the flight phases and accumulated flight hours of pilots who have left the company. This document, which is also approved by the Turkish Civil Aviation Authority, makes a serious contribution to military pilots' ability to transition to commercial piloting at the levels they deserve. What the state is doing is very appropriate and correct. It would be an appropriate and appropriate contribution to provide this opportunity to professional groups other than piloting.

2. Aircraft Maintenance Expertise

Military aircraft maintainers made a similar contribution to the development of commercial piloting in the early years of civil aviation.

In the following period, in parallel with the rest of the world, Turkish civil aviation has also developed a lot. However, in civil aviation, cost was at the forefront and efficiency was essential in every aspect.

Over time, especially after the 1980s, aircraft maintenance branches in civil aviation were combined, for example, all airframe and engine-related branches were collected under the general airframe and engine branch, such as A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) or AMT (The Aircraft Maintenance Technician). hydraulics, ventilation, fuel, electricity), all avionic systems (Autopilt, navigation, communication, radar, radio/communication, etc.) are collected under the responsibility of the General Avionics branch. This is especially necessary in line maintenance. As you descend to MRO&U (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and Upgrade) levels, backward and detailed branching and branches (rear specialists) can be created.

Starting from the 90s, branch consolidation began in the military aircraft maintenance profession, but in state-owned institutions, efficiency in terms of the number of personnel, and therefore economy in terms of personnel, was not at the forefront, and action on malfunctions in the shortest time was more important. Another important reason for this was that aircraft in the fighter category had more systems than passenger and cargo aircraft in civil aviation, and the failure rates of these systems were higher.

Experts who retired as military aircraft maintenance technicians; They start their civil aviation aircraft maintenance careers as assistant aircraft technicians, become familiar with the profession in this environment, and then obtain A&P and Avionics JAR certificates and continue their angels in civilian life and military life as aircraft maintenance technicians.

On these issues, it is of great benefit to consult and seek advice from military colleagues who have gone through this process in civilian life and are aircraft maintenance technicians.

As the number of military aircraft maintenance technicians who continue their profession in civilian life after their retirement increases; Carrying and maintaining this profession from military life to civilian life will be taken for granted, just like pilots.

3. Machining and Metal Processing

It is a very developed sector in our country, serving all industrial sectors. It is an activity area that provides intensive employment in our industrialized regions.

Manufacturing technicians, especially those working in aircraft maintenance manufacturing workshops, can find jobs in this sector, but it is also possible for other technicians to enter this field from scratch and quickly specialize.

Especially; If they refresh their knowledge and improve themselves on subjects such as entering G codes of CNC machines and using CAD/CAM, they will increase their opportunities to find a job and become permanent in this sector.

Since the majority of aircraft maintenance technicians are vocational or technical high school graduates, they are familiar with machining and metal processing. It will not be difficult for them to adapt to this field and improve themselves.

4. Technical Draftsmanship

A draftsman is responsible for translating design ideas into detailed plans that can be used in the engineering, manufacturing or construction industry. SolidWorks, AutoCad, Catia etc. Being proficient in CAD/CAM software is important and necessary in the practice of this profession. It is a valuable professional discipline that can be easily adapted by almost every specialist working in technical fields in military life and is very valid in many industrial sectors.

You can prepare for this field on your own or by attending vocational courses.

5. Information Technologies Specialist

The information technology (IT) professional plays a critical role in maintaining computer systems and networks for companies. It ensures trouble-free operation of hardware and software, troubleshoots technical problems, and protects against cybersecurity threats. Those who pursue this profession during their military life (predominantly MEBS-Communication Electronic Computer Systems officers and noncommissioned officers) often succeed in IT roles due to their disciplined work ethic, problem-solving skills, and ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments. Military experience further enhances attention to detail, cybersecurity awareness, and commitment to following procedures.

IT departments are available in large companies, while small and medium-sized companies purchase this service from IT companies.

It is a field where soldiers who carry out IT professional disciplines within the Armed Forces can adapt without the need for a long orientation process when they retire.

The information technologies sector will provide many employment opportunities for retired military personnel.

6. Data Analyst

Data analysts collect, interpret and present data to help organizations make the most informed decisions. To do this, they work with advanced data visualization tools and statistical software to uncover useful insights. Aircraft maintenance analysis and aircraft maintenance quality analysis experts are well-suited for data analysis roles due to their strong analytical mindset, attention to detail and experience working with data under pressure. Their military backgrounds develop disciplined problem solving, making them adept at interpreting data and gaining valuable insights for informed decision-making in a variety of industries.

7. Project Management

Project managers manage and supervise the planning, execution and completion of projects in various sectors such as construction, information technologies, machinery design and manufacturing, and healthcare. Their job is to ensure that these projects achieve their goals, within budget and on schedule. Many veterans excel as project managers because of their strong leadership qualities.

8. HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) Expertise

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals install and maintain heating and cooling systems in both residential and commercial buildings. Veterans who have worked in many technical fields can easily adapt to the HVAC field and bring the skills and experience of their military profession to this field, making them qualified and sought-after as HVAC technicians. Their military training will have equipped them with the discipline, problem-solving abilities, adaptability and strong work ethic necessary for success in the HVAC industry.

9. Semiconductor Equipment Maintenance Technician

Semiconductor equipment maintenance technicians are crucial to ensuring the proper functioning of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. This role involves diagnosing and repairing any equipment problems to maintain production efficiency. Aircraft maintenance avionics technicians (especially those knowledgeable and experienced in radar, navigation, radio, ECM systems), communications systems technicians, and military technicians with experience working on vehicle electronics are often well-suited for semiconductor equipment maintenance technician careers in a variety of industries. Their familiarity with complex systems, troubleshooting skills, and ability to follow precise procedures make them strong candidates for these critical semiconductor manufacturing roles.

10. Factory Manager, Director

The factory director checks the suitability of work processes in factories. The director takes into consideration the instructions given by the senior management while doing his job. Internal coordination of departments is provided by the director. Monitors activity timing and standard integrity across departments. The factory's production volume and product features determine the director's duties and responsibilities. The factory director is in an important position in terms of his responsibilities. He may need to make decisions effectively and quickly. The compatibility of the activities of machine masters, production personnel, operators and engineers is controlled by the director.

Your management knowledge and experience in your military career will enable you to adapt easily to the directorship of large-scale factories and to make a great contribution to these factories.

11. Foreign Trade Expertise

Foreign trade specialist; He is the person who manages all processes from the sale of products and services for companies trading in the international market. Foreign trade experts of the products; They coordinate all processes including promotion, marketing, sales, customs and logistics. A foreign trade specialist must have a developed sense of responsibility and belonging, be successful in individual and group relationships, have knowledge of sales and marketing techniques, have knowledge of legislation and know a foreign language.

Supply, supplies, etc. in the Armed Forces. I consider that those who practice this profession can easily transition to this branch of expertise in their civilian lives.

12. Middle and Upper Level Management

Many Turkish Armed Forces retirees have the necessary education, knowledge, skills and experience to work as managers at middle and upper levels of companies. However, it would be appropriate and necessary to know that transition to these positions requires a certain adaptation process and to enter into an individual development process accordingly.

13. Faculty Membership, Lawyer, Doctorate

In their military careers, they worked as lecturers, lawyers, doctors, etc. Those who perform professions that are equally valid in civilian life; They can continue their same profession in their civilian lives.

However, those who choose these professions after retirement can also continue their careers in these fields.